The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1887-07-23
HoRSE-EAR WILSON.
The Somewhat Curious Peculia OF An
Obstinate Texas Farmer.


Antonio, Andy Faulkner, the right-of-
way agent, had occasionally consider
able difficulty in persuading some of the
honest old farmers to allow the road to
pass through their land under any cir
cumstances whatever.
There was hard-faced old sinner
named "Horse-ear" Wilson, who
owned small ranch near Austin, and
who was bitterly opposed to railroads
He got the name of "Horse-ear" from
his popularity of moving his ears back
wards and forwards whenever he be-
came much excited. SHe was known to
be dangerous man, having killed sew
eral men in personal disputes. The
line of the Texas Central ran through
"Horse-ear" Wilson'S farm, and it be-
came the duty of Andy Faulkner to call
on Wilson and buy the right of way.
Faulkner was warned by those who
knew Wilson to be very careful and
watch his ears, and to get out of the
way as soon as he began to work his
ears backwards and forwards, as that
was preliminary movement to his
reaching for his shotgun.
Andy rode up to the gate and called
'"Hello" A forbidding-looking man
with very large ears was seated on a
bench in front of the log cabin door
with q shotgun in his lap. He looked
up and replied: i.t
"Hellow yourself. What do yer
wantp"
want to talk business.
"Dismount and come in"
Faulkner did as he was told, and
took a seat on a sawbuck opposite old
"Horse-ear" Wilson.
"Air you deputy sheriff. asked
Wilson, moving one of his ears forward
and one backward.
mo, no, Captain Wilson, nothing of
the kind" exclaimed Faulkner.
Now, what do yer want?"
"Najor Wilson, want to pay you
5000 in cash for you to let the Texas
Central run through the southeastern.
ner of your lot"
''You wanter keep me awake all
night with your Internal trains scoot-
ing past my houseg' % M @q
"Oh, no. Colonel Wilson," replied
Andy, politely advancing Wilson ap-
other grade. M A44% ss...s.a
"You wanter run over my hogs and
refuse TO pay for them. Is that what
yer afterp" and the left ear advanced
ominously to the front a M Z ~
Nothing of the kind, General.
"You wanter set fire to my hay
stacks with sparks from your locomo-
tiveP" and Wilson's right ear twitched
nervously as if he was hitting at fly
with it. -..t ....
Once more Faulkner insisted that he
had no such intention.
"Tll count five," said old Wilson,
moving both ears to the front and cock
ing his gun, "Tll count five, and eff you
are in range I'll fill your hide SO full Of
buckshot that it won't hold shucks.
One!" eos.
Reliable witnesses say that when ole
"Horse-eaT Wilson counted four Andy
Faulkner was SO far off that he couldn'
be reached with the longest-ranged ar
tillery. This is probably an exaggera.
ton, but Andy didn't stop to pick Der
ries until he was seven miles from Viii
sons ranch.
About week after this occurrenc,
Andy Faulkner was seated in his Office
at Houston. Tex, when there came
timid knock at the door.
"Come in" said Andy.
The door opened slowly, and ole
"Horse-ear" Wilson peeped0in. And,
partially opened drawer that con
tanned an army -sized revolver. 1t wa.
indeed Wilson. but there was such
pleasant smile on his face that he dit
not seem to be the same man.
81 wanter accept that offer you mad
me about the right of way" said vii
son,
"Ain't you afraid of bein- KEEP
awake at nights by passing trainsP'
queried Andy, putting his hand in til
drawer.
'Nota BIZ" replied Wilson, neithe
of his ears moving in the least.
But how about your hogs being ru
over by the locomotives"
eff they get run over it's thar owl
fault. You can buy heap of hogs 70
5000. Just make out the papers an
I'll sign 'em. and then We'll go out an
take something"
Faulkner made out the papers. The
were duly signed, and the 5000 wa
paid over to Wilson, who seemed t
beam with happiness.
Now. my FRIEND" said Faulkner
81 want to know what has occurred {
make you change your mind"